Health News

Deadlines Approach for Health Insurance Enrollment

Deadlines Approach for Health Insurance Enrollment

12/23/13

FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Attention last-minute
shoppers: If you intend to buy a health plan through one of the new
health insurance exchanges, and you want coverage starting Jan. 1,
you must act quickly.

In most states, Monday, Dec. 23 is the deadline for selecting a
plan that takes effect on the first day of the new year.

"We would really encourage people to start now. Don't wait until the deadline to enroll," said Cheryl Fish-Parcham, deputy director of health policy at Families USA in Washington, D.C.

People need to leave themselves enough time to gather the
information they need to complete an insurance application, select
a health plan and pay the premium by the health plan's deadline,
she said.

The pre-Christmas race to buy health insurance is another
consequence of the troubled launch of the Affordable Care Act's
HealthCare.gov website and website difficulties in a number of
state-run health insurance exchanges. Since the October launch of
the health exchanges, sign-up and premium-payment deadlines have
been extended to give people more time to enroll for coverage, but
the new cut-offs come amid the holiday rush.

Many people aren't aware of the various deadlines under the law,
sometimes called Obamacare. What's more, the deadlines may vary by
state and by health insurer, health insurance agents and brokers
said.

"There is a lot of confusion," said Anna Causey, vice president of Combined Insurance Services Inc., a Pensacola, Fla.-based benefits broker.

Some people mistakenly believe they have until Dec. 31 to enroll
in a plan that takes effect on Jan. 1, Causey said. Others don't
realize they could pay a federal tax penalty if they don't have
health insurance in place by March 31, she said.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most adults will pay a $95
penalty -- or 1 percent of income -- in 2014 if they don't have
health insurance coverage. The penalty rises to $695 -- or 2
percent of income -- by 2016.

To avoid the penalty, people must enroll in a plan by Feb. 15 or
qualify for an exemption from the penalty, Causey said.

If you're in the market for health insurance, here are some key
dates to keep in mind:

What's the latest I can enroll in coverage for Jan. 1?

Consumers shopping on HealthCare.gov, the federal portal serving
individuals in 36 states, have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec.
23, to enroll if they want coverage to take effect on the first day
of the new year.

What if I enroll through my state health insurance exchange?

Deadlines for Jan. 1 coverage may differ in states that operate
their own health exchanges.

Health insurers in Maryland, for instance, have agreed to extend
the sign-up deadline through Dec. 27, state officials announced
Tuesday. Consumers must pay their premiums by Jan. 15, the
officials said.

Make sure to check with your state health exchange.

Can I enroll after Jan. 1?

Open enrollment for 2014 runs through March 31. If you buy
coverage, say, on Feb. 10, it won't kick in until March 1. If you
wait until March 31, your policy will take effect May 1.

There is no deadline for signing up for Medicaid or the
Children's Health Insurance Program.

If I enroll in a private health-exchange plan by Dec. 23, when
is my premium due?

Recently, the federal government directed insurers to accept
payment by Dec. 31 and encouraged health plans to push the deadline
further.

Consumers who sign up by Dec. 23 and pay the first month's
premium by Jan. 10 will have coverage on Jan. 1, the industry group
America's Health Insurance Plans announced Wednesday.

However, the federal government cautions that not all health
insurers are extending the payment deadline, and some may require
payment on or before Dec. 31, 2013.

"Once you've enrolled, check with your plan that they've received your enrollment and what is the premium payment deadline and how do you go about paying your first month's premium," Fish-Parcham advised.

Is it better to enroll now or sometime before March 31?

Insurance brokers say it depends on your situation.

"The (health plan) options will not change," said Karen Sweeney, benefit consultant with PIT4 Medical Insurance Consultants, in Mesa, Ariz.

She recommends that individuals who are uninsured or who are
losing coverage on Jan. 1 "get with an educated insurance broker
and make a selection by Dec. 23."

People who have coverage that carries over into 2014, however,
don't necessarily need to rush to meet the Dec. 23 cutoff, brokers
said.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.